Self-Belief is your Strongest Weapon in the Corporate World

“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
-Mark Twain

With these words by one of the greatest authors of all times, there really is no need to talk further, but still, I want to break it down and relate it to the current business scenario to add my own perspective into this writing. So, here goes!

It is a universally acknowledged fact that the greatest leaders of the past as well as present possessed one trait that was common to all of them: ‘self-belief’, or ‘self-confidence’. It is the firm belief in one’s abilities that creates opportunities even in adverse conditions because the nerve to move ahead also fuels the brain to come up with better answers.

Enveloping yourself in a cocoon of safety will hardly ever let you test your true potential and can never bring out the true leader in you. A true commander is a risk-taker, and for that, he must possess belief in his own capabilities which will go on to reflect upon his peers and subordinates. If you are convinced that your goals are attainable, the people around will believe in you too. A positive outlook reflects on your decisions and the consequences of those.

In the entrepreneurial world, self-confidence is your key to success. If you don’t firmly believe in your idea that the service you are going to offer will make a difference, you are unlikely to find anyone who will try convincing you and curing you of your own fears. In fact, in this competitive and rapidly progressing market, you would actually be doing your competitor a service with your self-doubt.

Over time, a thorough research has enabled me to observe and pick out a number of traits that some of the biggest names in the corporate world possess which has made them emerge as true leaders. All these characteristics have a common foundation and that is ‘Self-Confidence’.

They stay determined in the face of obstacles

Leading a business requires strength of personality that withstands uncertainty and pushes through the obstacles to emerge bigger and better than before. You need to be thick-skinned if you want to achieve your goals and not let negativity and challenges stop you from reaching where you want to. Your strength of will is going to help you overcome any hindrance in your way.

They are driven by their passion

If you lack the passion about your own idea and the belief that your product really is going to change the world, then you are very likely to end up in the pool of many unknown faces that possessed great ideas but lacked the passion to actually do something about them. A true entrepreneur is a problem-solver and this is what drives him. The money that comes with the success of his idea is a contributing factor too, but with the uncertainties that are part of the business world, his passion and drive are the only factors that will keep him going.

They are flexible, receptive and adaptive

Any business idea has least probability of succeeding if it does not possess the flexibility to adapt to changes and same goes for the person who conceived that idea. If you’re not willing to accept criticism in a positive manner and let it go to your head, you will miss out on a lot more that your goods or services could have offered had you been more open-minded.

In addition to this, you must possess the capability to adapt to the ever-changing demands of the market. If you’re not going to meet them, someone else is all ready to go and take you place.

They know how and to whom they should delegate tasks

A leader, in the true sense of the word knows how to keep his command without becoming aloof to the opinions and needs of his people. As an entrepreneur, since the idea is your baby, you tend to think that you alone are the best person to take on every job. You can’t have too much on your plate so that you end-up ignoring the things that need your attention. Instead making reliable people responsible for tasks is a trait of a true leader.

It has nothing to do with losing control over your hard-earned reputation, rather it boasts of authority, confidence and independence.

Your preparedness for any task will help you in the long run to attain a successful venture. The more you believe in your capabilities the better position you will find yourself in. We have seen many examples in the business entertainment and many other fields of people who bounced back from failures and did not let the initial pitfalls affect their dreams. But I believe very firmly in what Rumi has to say on the subject;

“Don’t be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.”

About Brad Adams

Brad is the founder of Renegade Entrepreneur. An experienced entrepreneur and executive, he is one of the most sought after consultants, coaches and speakers for entrepreneurs, business owners and senior executives.
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Brad is a super-smart entrepreneur who is making a big difference!

James MalinchakFeatured on the hit ABC TV show "Secret Millionaire"June 19, 2016

If you're satisfied with the status quo, or if you're comfortable traveling with the herd, then you're in the wrong place. But if you are ready to take your business to the next level, to build something great, Brad is uniquely qualified to get you there.

E. Rick BaldiniBest of Everything, Inc.June 19, 2016

Brad is a thoughtful and insightful entrepreneur, whose many years of experience will benefit any business owner.

Andy GrahamManaging Director, APG PartnersNovember 6, 2014

Brad is one of the most innovative and dynamic entrepreneurs I know. His foresight into what’s next is unsurpassed.